FLINT, Michigan — For people wanted by Flint authorities, it’s time to pay up — or clean up.

Clean up the streets of Flint, that is.

In an effort to relieve the backlog of more than 20,000 outstanding warrants in the city, the 68th District Court will start holding regular sessions of night court.

Night court isn’t new to the city — though it’s been several years since the last sessions were held — but an $11,000 grant from a community organization will allow the court to focus on sentencing offenders to beautifying city streets.

About once a month, police will conduct sweeps to arrest people who’ve skipped out on their court dates, wanted for everything from drug possession to child abuse.

The offenders will be picked up off the streets and brought directly to court to face a judge for sentencing.

The punishment for misdemeanor offenses in some cases will include working to beautify the streets of Flint, including planting flowers or picking up trash.

The goal is to help improve the appearance of the city and generate revenue for the court from outstanding fines and costs.

“With the city’s current state of economic hard times it would be nice if we could collect on those,” said Paula J. McGlown, 68th District Court administrator. “We’re very hopeful a lot of the people will be able to clear their outstanding fines.”

McGlown said the court provided the police department with a list of people with outstanding warrants.

With chronic overcrowding in the local jail, police officers historically often had to release people wanted for warrants because of a lack of space.

John C. McGarry, site director with the Flint Downtown District Weed & Seed group, said night court will help hold more of these offenders accountable for their actions, while at the same time help clean up the city.

“It’s always frustrating for the police department to see people basically walk away from their obligations,” McGarry said. “This will help.”

Night court is a partnership among the district court, Flint Police Department and Flint Downtown District Weed & Seed.

About $11,000 in federal grant funding through the Weed & Seed group will pay for the overtime for court staff, McGarry said. The Weed & Seed is funded through the U.S. Department of Justice.

The group recently was awarded $1.6 million in federal stimulus funding for the Ex-Offender Community Service Employment Program, which is expected to put at least 75-125 ex-offenders to work improving local neighborhoods.

The Weed & Seed group also will provide ex-offenders with transitional employment in coordination with New Paths, Inc. and other local organizations.